Semien Mountains National Park

The dramatic landscapes of the Semen Mountains (i.e. the extreme escarpments and their thousands of meters of sheer cliffs) are the result of massive seismic activity in the area about 40 million years ago (Miocene and Oligocene, geological period). Ever since, this massive complex (a 3000m-thick molten lava outpour) has been going through tectonic activities (faulting, folding ... during tertiary period), glaciations/ice cover and uplifting. Subsequently, erosion over the millennia has resulted in the rugged landscapes of the Semien Mountains (Hurni H., Ethiopia 1986).

Climate The mean annual rainfall is 1,550mm falling in two wet seasons, from February to March, and July to September which is said to have become much lower since the 1960s (Magin, 2001). Temperatures range from a minimum of -2.5‹C to 4‹C to a maximum of 11‹C to 18‹C. There are often drying winds during the day; frosts may occur at night, and snow sometimes settles on the summit of Ras Dashen. Flora Due to variation in altitude and topographical features, the vegetation in Semen Mountain is characterized by four different altitudinal belts; namely: Afro alpine moorland (3700-4400 MASL), Ericaceous moorland/sub alpine highland (2900- 3700 MASL), montane forest belts (2000-3000 MASL), and savanna belt (below 2000mast).The endemic giant lobelia rhynchopetalum and festuca gilbertiana, Giant heather, erica arbora, hypericum revolutum , hypericum quartinianum, Juniperus procera, Hygenia abyssinica, Olea chrysophylla, and Papanea simensis are dominant species, to name a few. Species which are traditionally recognized as having 'medicinal' value include: Hygenia abyssinica, giant lobelia, Synoglossumlanceolatum, or Giometricum, phytolaca Dodicandra, Thymus serrulatus, Myrsine Africana, Achyranthus aspera, Kalanchoe deficiens, Zehnaria scabro, Conium maculatum, Fauna Though the park is home for 32 mammals and 182 bird species, Semen is known more by the richness (high rate) of endemic than species diversity, as there are 11 endemic mammals and 6 endemic bird species, each accounting for 32.2% and 37.5% of the country's endemic mammals and bird species, respectively.

Semen is one of the parks that make the country 'center of endemic' in East Africa, next to Madagascar. The 4 endemic large mammals of the park, which account for 57% of the country's endemic large mammals, are: Wallia Ibex capra ibex Wallia with a population of 623 as of 2005 (endemic to Semen only), Ethiopian wolf canis simensis with a population of 78 as of 2005 , Gelada Baboon more than 4000, Minilik Bush buck - still questionable. Besides, the park is also home for other large mammal species, such as: Klipspringer, Leopard, and common jackal. In addition to large and small mammals there are also 6 endemic bird species in the SMNP, namely; Spot breasted plover, Abyssinian long claw, Abyssinian cat bird, Black headed siskin, Abyssinian woodpecker and Ankober Serine

Ethiopia has a strong claim to being the oldest country in the world. Written and pictorial records reveal aspect. Archaeology and paleontology bring the country’s history back millions of years. Ever since the American paleontologist Donald Johnson discovered the skeleton of old hominid female on 30 November 1974 ...